With the exception of the pull-top lid variety (a la McClelland, GLP), all of my sealed tins carry some pipe tobacco scent - noticed most especially at the lips/lids. I've long thought that the smell is simply a residue of the tins' time in the factory - bumping into objects with fragrant oil residues, etc. And, whenever I open these tins, the vacuum seals always are present.

Is there another explanation for the sealed tin fragrance? Is a vacuum sealed tin (a la Samuel Gawith, Esoterica) not 100% airtight?

With the exception of the pull-top lid variety (a la McClelland, GLP), all of my sealed tins carry some pipe tobacco scent - noticed most especially at the lips/lids. I've long thought that the smell is simply a residue of the tins' time in the factory - bumping into objects with fragrant oil residues, etc. And, whenever I open these tins, the vacuum seals always are present.

Is there another explanation for the sealed tin fragrance? Is a vacuum sealed tin (a la Samuel Gawith, Esoterica) not 100% airtight?

Yes there is. The Tobacco Fairy needs wind beneath his wings. What better than bakky stinks?